Meet the Xceptionalists Pat McKeown asthmacare

In my latest book, DO! The Pursuit of Xceptional Execution, I interview entrepreneurs from around the world. They are the leaders of some of the most compelling global brands and companies, ranging from one to 3,000 employees, with turnovers from $100,000 to $130 million. I call them the Xceptionalists. They hail from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Bologna, Italy; from Des Moines, Iowa to Galway, Ireland. They run app companies, consultancies, clinics and sprawling technology corporations. I have followed Patrick McKeown’s business closely over the years. It took great courage to challenge the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry with a limited budget. Patrick is now recognized as an expert in a very technical field. Patrick was a chronic asthmatic. He tried everything to find a cure as his dependency on medication increased relentlessly. In 1997, after graduation he entered middle management. About the same time he stumbled across an article about a Russian doctor, Konstantin Buteyko, who claimed to know how to reverse the cause of asthma. Patrick began using Buteyko’s Method and his asthma improved dramatically. Two years later, he was asthma free WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THIS PATH? “While my health had improved, my career had not. … I didn’t like my job at all. … Driving home one weekend … the thought struck me that asthmatics should be made aware of correct breathing and other lifestyle factors. … The Buteyko Method had delivered on many levels to me. I had totally eliminated the need for medication. I was sleeping better and my energy and fitness levels had been enhanced. In 2002 there were 475,000 asthmatics in Ireland … this was a viable business opportunity. … It felt as though a weight had been lifted off me. … I had an overwhelming feeling that everything was going to be all right.” WHAT CHALLENGES LAY AHEAD? “The first major obstacle was the status quo. For anyone suffering with asthma, the conditioned response was to seek medication. Most of the research in this area was funded by medical companies. The umbrella organizations that existed to help and educate patients were funded by the medical companies as well. Even the education system focused on showing students pharmacological interventions.” WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT? “With working capital of $6,500 I started my business. … The cost of the training and travel amounted to $4,500. With a new working capital of $2,000, I shared my office to mitigate costs.” DID YOU EVER THINK IT WAS NOT WORTH THE STRESS? “I experienced many moments of doubt during my early days. Thankfully I found relief from the very therapy I was teaching. … Of course there are times in business when stress levels increase, and this can be a great driver in the short term.” WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON XCEPTIONAL EXECUTION? “Utilize all avenues to better meet the expectations and demands of customers. My primary motivators are independence, happiness and to provide value to others.” ASTHMA CARE TAKEAWAYS • Pain could be the catalyst for that business idea. • Committing to action lifts a huge weight off your shoulders. • If it feels right, it is right. • Don’t focus on the obstacles before you take that first step. • Calming the mind is the key to sanity and clarity. • You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact. • Execution creates opportunities – all you need to do is ask. • What’s the worst possible scenario or the best, in the context of growing or starting the business? Taken from Kevin Kelly’s new book “Do the pursuit of xceptional execution” Kevin is an internationally acclaimed leadership and motivational speaker and best selling author. For more informationwww.kevinkellyunlimited.com Buy “Do the pursuit of xceptional execution” now http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kevin%20kelly%20do&sprefix=kevin+kelly+do%2Caps%2C180